'Smokehouse Creek' Fire in Hutchison County burns 200,000 acres, 0% contained

The Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office reported on Tuesday morning that the "Smokehouse Creek" fire that began Monday near the Hemphill and Roberts County line, also impacting Hutchinson County, had shifted north toward the river about four miles west of the county line and was moving east-northeast.

Update: Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.

The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that the area near 687 towards "Big Creek" in the Borger area is being evacuated.

Update: Tuesday, 4:13 p.m.

The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that Meadowlark back towards Marcy Drive in the southwest part of Borger in the Bunavista part of the city is being evacuated. Officials note that residents in that area need to turn on their sprinklers and vacate the area.

The area includes Milner Road southwest of Borger.

Update: Tuesday, 3:33 p.m.

Officials with the City of Borger said those who cannot make it to Celebration Family Church can also evacuate to the City of Borger- Johnson Park Youth Center.

Update: Tuesday, 3:06 p.m.

The Roberts County Sheriff's Office reports that a mandatory evacuation order was issued for southeast Roberts County. That order includes the town of Miami. A shelter was arranged at the First Baptist Church of Pampa.

Update: Tuesday, 2:18 p.m.

The Hemphill County Sheriff's Office reports that US 60/83 South is shut down at this time. Officials said they recommend that people in Canadian shelter in place at this time. The Canadian High School gym will be open soon to anyone traveling and needs shelter.

Update: Tuesday, 2:18 p.m.

The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that Highway and rural travel is discouraged. Current road closures are for 136 to Amarillo, 687, and 136 from Stinnett to Amarillo.

The City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM reports that additional fires were reported in mostly unpopulated area west of 136 (between Borger and Stinnett.)

Officials said the fires may potentially threaten Scotts Acres.

Update: Tuesday, 2 p.m.

As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, residents of Hemphill County were ordered to evacuate, with the advised evacuation route set south to the Wheeler County AgriLife Center.

Update: Tuesday, 1 p.m.

As of 4:58 p.m. on Tuesday, a number of evacuations and road closures related to the “Smokehouse Creek” fire in the Hutchinson County area were active, including:

• Hutchinson County
  • 207 out of Borger and north out Panhandle was shutdown.
  • The City of Fritch announced evacuations for the Double Diamond area, the Arrowhead addition and the Maverick Village.
    • The evacuation shelter was reported open at Celebration Family Church. 811 E. Broadway in Fritch.
  • The City of Borger announced that Highway 136 at Lakeview westbound was closed, with traffic redirected to the east.
• Hemphill County
  • Highway 83 at the oasis was closed with no northbound traffic;
  • Residents on South River Road and Highway 83 North were advised to evacuate; and
  • Residents of Canadian were advised to evacuate.
    • Hemphill County officials advised the evacuation route will be south to the Wheeler County AgriLife Center.
• Roberts County
  • Residents in the North River Road area were advised to evacuate.
• Lipscomb County
  • Citizens near Glazier and the feed yard were advised to evacuate;
  • Highway 83 and 23 were closed to traffic; and
  • Highway 60 between Glazier and Higgins was shut down.

Update: Tuesday, 12:20 p.m.

Residents around Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, and Lipscomb counties on Tuesday received various notifications to be prepared for possible evacuation measures in part due to the spread of the "Smokehouse Creek" fire that began on Monday, including the Canadian Independent School District and Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips CISD releasing students due to hazardous conditions and possible evacuations.

The Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office reported that Highway 83 was closed in both directions at the oasis, with no northbound traffic allowed in the area. In Lipscomb County, Highway 83 and 23 were also closed to traffic.

The Hemphill County SO said that in the event evacuations are ordered in the area, the evacuation route will be east on Highway 60 to Higgins, with the Higgins school open for residents.

Further, the Roberts County Sheriff's Office advised that Payne Ranch Road was also closed on Tuesday morning and asked drivers to avoid the area.

Update: Tuesday, 10:40 a.m.

The Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office reported on Tuesday morning that the "Smokehouse Creek" fire impacting Hutchinson, Roberts and Hemphill counties had shifted north toward the river on the McMordie Ranch, approximately four miles west of the county line and moving east-northeast.

However, the office noted that “due to ever-changing wind direction,” community members on Tuesday should be prepared to evacuate. Fire danger to Canadian is expected to increase during the afternoon due to wind changes and an incoming cold front.

Update: 7:33 p.m.

According to Texas A&M Forest Service, the fire that started in Hutchinson County has burned about 40,000 acres and is 0% contained.

Update: 5:41 p.m.

HUTCHINSON COUNTY, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Officials with the City of Borger / Hutchinson County OEM said two fires have sprung up around the area.

The initial fire that was reported east of Stinnett is uncontained and is continuing along the Canadian River to Roberts County.

A second fire in Potter County was reported west of the Lake. The fire has not crossed into Hutchinson County.

Officials said the Fritch area should continue to monitor for updates in the event the fire crosses.

Original Story

HUTCHINSON COUNTY, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - According to an update from the City of Borger and Hutchinson County Office of Emergency Management, a wildfire was reported north of Stinnett on Monday afternoon near Highway 136 and County Road O.

Area officials said that just after 1 p.m. on Monday, Highway 136 north of Stinnett was closed to traffic due to the risk and spread of the ongoing fire.

This fire report comes after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Monday for numerous counties around the Texas Panhandle region, including Hutchinson County, until at least 7 p.m. due to strong winds, low humidity, and high temperatures increasing the risk of fire.